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WorldWar2.ro Forum > Romanian Army at War > Romanian army and Wehrmacht |
Posted by: MMM January 17, 2009 06:18 pm |
What was the general attitude in the Romanian army at the arrival of the first "training troops" of Wehrmacht in Romania, in october 1940? I mean, after decades of alliance with France and England... |
Posted by: MMM January 20, 2009 12:21 pm |
Come on! What was the 1-st German unit to put its feet on Romanian territory in 1940? Where? |
Posted by: dragos January 20, 2009 09:30 pm |
I think the relations between the Romanian and German military were generally good, as they were not seen as invaders, but came for cooperation. The first group (Vorkommandos), together with the chief of the military mission, General Erik Hansen, and the chief of the air mission, General Wilhelm Speidel, arrived in Bucharest on 12 October and established their offices in the Military Academy (Scoala Superioara de Razboi) From 24 October elements of the German 13th Division started to arrive for training the Romanian troops. Its HQ was initially situated in Brasov. In mid-December arrived the 16th Panzer Division, in Sibiu. The air mission consisted of a reinforced AA division, two AA regiments, a fighter group, searchlight units and engineers. Their activity revolved around the oilfields of Prahova Valley. A small experienced group of fighter and bomber officers was training the Romanian airmen, AA gunners and air alarm servicemen part of the ARR. |
Posted by: MMM January 21, 2009 05:54 am | ||
You mean "elements" of the division, right? |
Posted by: dragos January 21, 2009 05:37 pm |
It appears that the entire division was transfered to Romania: http://www.axishistory.com/index.php?id=1289 |
Posted by: MMM January 31, 2009 08:40 am |
However, Hillgruber talks about the 13-th motorized division in october and the 16-th Panzer from mid-december. I'll have to look more into this... |
Posted by: dragos January 31, 2009 11:17 am | ||
That's exactly what I said. |
Posted by: MMM January 31, 2009 11:57 am |
Motorized Division, future Armored Division. Its headquarter moved in many locations to emphasize the "training role" of the German troops. As Hitler stated, "the real mission of them, not to be disclosed even to Romanians or their own troops were: a ) to defend the petrol-extracting region from the attack of another power, as well as from destruction (like in ww1, I guess) b ) to upgrade the Romanian army to a such level of instruction that it would be able to fulfil certain tasks, according to a strict plan, german-interests oriented c ) during a war "imposed" by the SU, to prepare the conditions for mobilizing the german and romanian forces from the romanian territory." (A. Hillgruber, Hitler,Konig Carol und Marschal Antonescu) Will follow... |
Posted by: Dénes January 31, 2009 06:20 pm |
The first day I found in the archives, when a German airplane of the would-be DLM (German air force mission to Rumania) landed in Rumania was 11 Oct. 1940, when Ju 52, DUETJ (sic!), landed in Brasov (Kronstandt). Three days later, 8 Bf 109Es coming from Germany landed on the soaked airfield of Balomir (3 destroyed, 3 damaged and 2 OK). Gen. Dénes |
Posted by: MMM January 31, 2009 06:28 pm |
I was referring to the land forces, but regarding Luftwaffe, I didn't know they wrecked their planes on our "great" landing fields! Where did you find this info, please? I may use it next week at my PHD studies, as well... |
Posted by: Dénes January 31, 2009 08:47 pm |
I found the info in the hand written notes I made in 2007, at the archives in Pitesti. Gen. Dénes |
Posted by: MMM February 01, 2009 08:16 am |
Of course it would be great if you remembered the reference number (aka Fond nr. XXX, Dosar YYY, Fila ZZZ). Today I'm leaving for the Bucharest archives and I might go to Pitesti as well, if I don't find what I need in Bucharest. And the Bf109's - were destroyed as in exploding or could they have been salvaged for parts, at least? |
Posted by: dragos June 17, 2009 09:35 pm |
Here is a picture of 16th Panzer Division in Sibiu (Panzers III in foreground, Panzers II and IV in background?) http://www.cartula.ro/forum/Concurs-organizat-de-revista-Model-IST-t5405.html |
Posted by: horia June 18, 2009 05:52 am |
the Panzers III are in Sighisoara, not in Sibiu! |
Posted by: Victor June 18, 2009 05:55 am |
It's SIghisoara, not Sibiu. I'm not sure but I think Sighisoara fell into the Hungarian part of Transylvania after August 1940. |
Posted by: MMM June 18, 2009 06:48 am |
Well, actually it wasn't. The line was more to the north... In the "zone" were Tg. Mureş, Odorhei, Sf. Gheorghe, but left to us were Turda, Sighişoara etc. I've just looked at a map from "Istoria Militară a Poporului Român", vol. VI, p. 348. From the buildings' look, the picture can be in any of them. I guess we should find a really old man from Sibiu or Sighişoara and ask him if the pic's from his town... |
Posted by: dragos June 18, 2009 08:05 am |
Sorry, my bad, it's Sighisoara |
Posted by: MMM June 18, 2009 10:17 am |
This is not such a big problem, because the German troops did NOT stand still - it was part of their "tactics" to change quarters and to move from a locality to another, in order to appear more numerous than they really were... |
Posted by: SATHOR June 25, 2009 12:15 pm | ||
hi.this picture was taken in Sighisoara, today is a small park instead of tank's |
Posted by: MMM June 25, 2009 02:17 pm |
Hi! Post a picture with the park, then... |
Posted by: dragos June 25, 2009 02:21 pm |
The picture I have posted is from the same location and direction, just closer to the clock tower, approximately from the location of the last line of tanks. |
Posted by: 21 inf June 25, 2009 05:10 pm |
Dragos is right, it is the same location, but closer to the tower. |
Posted by: Ferdinand June 26, 2009 07:16 pm |
the ww2 picture with tanks, is taken in the center of Sighisoara(not the old center -citadel)..i was there last week at a bank. also is a good resturant in the corner. gruss |
Posted by: halftrack April 09, 2010 01:16 pm |
Being new to this and somewhat behind the times .... what type of tanks are those? and does anyone know if they were the same as what was used in the confilagration in '44 against the Russians at Targul Frumos? both battles and what became of their armor in Aug when they became allied with the US/RKKA/ etc ? I will keep searching previous posts as well, thank you for any insight to this " forgotten " battle.... |
Posted by: Petre July 20, 2010 08:15 pm |
From a Russian text : On Feb.12 1941 Romania severed the relations with Great Britain, the diplomats left the country. In March, in Romania and Bulgaria brought from Germany coastal defense guns, and in Romania, in addition, 2000 sea mines. In March arrived Deutschen Marinemission Rumanien (Naval Mission), headed by VAm.F.W.Fleisher and Deutsches Marinelehrkommando Rumanien (Training Naval Command) headed by Kpt.z.S. H.J.Gadow. The deployment of German forces took place on the background of numerous reports of foreign news agencies about the pressures imposed by the Soviet Black Sea fleet in Romania. Soviet representatives actively refuted these rumors... The closer was the war, the Germans and their allies became more active. In May, Romania evacuates institutions of Sulina, Tulcea, Galati. At the same time was reported at Moscow that recently, in the area of Sevastopol have been seen unknown submarines. The conclusion was the navy base was under the surveillance of romanian submarines. The Germans at the Black Sea on 22.06.1941 possess one ship. In Braila was a separate detachement of the german Donauflotille, which consisted of steam tugboat «Bechlaren» and the flotille of river mine sweepers type RR and MR, and 2 barges. At the beginning of the hostilities were brought from Antwerp to Constanta about 50 landing barges type Siebel (SiebelFahre) various modifications, in some groups : Transportfahren 13 17 18 19 20 24, Minenraumfahren 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 16, Kampfahren 2, 6, 21.34. And from a german text : On 20 Jun.1941 the Donauflottille lay in the Romanian harbour Braila and aboard Romanian monitor "Bucovina" a discussion about the cooperation took place. |
Posted by: Imperialist July 21, 2010 06:54 am | ||
Great Britain severed diplomatic relations with Romania on February 10. |
Posted by: Agarici July 27, 2010 09:03 pm | ||
A very interesting source, dealing also quite extensively with this subject, is Rebeliunea legionară în documente străine (germane, maghiare, franceze) by the young historians Ana-Maria Stan and Ottmar Traşcă. One of the original documents presented in the book, compiled by German military intelligence, was actually describing the assessed professional competence and the attitude towards Germany (but also France and UK), and towards the Iron Guard and the German army of several Romanian army generals and superior officers in the end of 1940. Its style is partly (somehow) naïve and hilarious; for example about a certain Romanian colonel it was mentioned that “he is fiercely anti-German, he hates the Germans” the fact being exemplified by the fact that “he gave the Fuhrer’s name to his dog”. I'll get back with some excerpts when/if I have time. |
Posted by: C-2 July 31, 2010 09:00 am |
Yestaerday I red in "Adevarul" an article writen by Adrian NAtase who was claiming that is father ,with 2 canons and 32 workers kept Brasov safe from German troops. Sounds like a bullshit to me. |
Posted by: guina July 31, 2010 05:34 pm |
Not complectly.I heard this story from his late father in early seventies and he had documents to prove it.Before 89( if I'm not wrong),there was a book about it ,called,if my memory is not failing me " Bateria albastra " |
Posted by: C-2 July 31, 2010 06:34 pm |
Like you wrote :"before 89". MAny lies and stories were invented. We are talking about the Wermacht ,and not about a bunch of kids from school. How can someone imagine,that with 32 worker (not even recruits) and some trainig canons (must be a low caliber and with a low rate of fire) they stopped the germans from entering Brasov. The fact that he told you that ,it doesn;t make it true. And the fact that he got "documents" it doesn't make it credible either. More it sounds more stupid and unrealistic. |
Posted by: guina July 31, 2010 08:11 pm |
Look,I didnt say its true,I just said that there may be SOME truth in it ( un sambure de adevar.)The story said that lt.M.Nastase was a member of military comission that checked and accepted repaired guns at Astra factory in Brasov.So the guns must have been modern ( in 44 )and fresh from repair.I presume that the workers that repair guns know a bit of how they work and how to fire them.If the german column was made of 1-2 armoured cars and a platoon of soldiers,its just posible. BTW,you dont have to be agresive,I like Nastase family no more than you do. |
Posted by: C-2 July 31, 2010 09:09 pm |
Sorry if I've been agresive,but since I saw some years ago,that adrian nastase burried his father in the middle of the principal alley in the Ghencea military cemetry,I see red before my eyes every time I hear their name. |
Posted by: guina July 31, 2010 10:52 pm |
I totaly agree with you !!!! |
Posted by: MMM August 01, 2010 08:17 pm |
http://curentul.net/2009/11/24/nastase-scatiu/ WTF?!?! Beyond the fact that it's not backed up by proof (how could it be?), I guess that's pretty interesting... |
Posted by: C-2 August 02, 2010 06:58 am |
Suprise you? Me not at all The good part in about our subject.... A german column without maps ,compas,and any capability to orientate.... |
Posted by: MMM August 02, 2010 02:25 pm |
Oh, yeah, maybe they were from the cartoons and led by Unteroffizier Elmer Fudd! The real "deal-breaker" seems to be the firing of M. N. from the Romanian Communist Army, instead of his promotion and stuff! Phew! |
Posted by: Petre April 16, 2011 08:42 am |
Very good : http://www.fundatiagusa.ro/assets/files/Media%20presa%20PDF/RELATII-MILITARE-ROMANO-GERMANE.1939-1944-DOCUMENTE.pdf |
Posted by: Dénes April 16, 2011 10:46 am |
Very good, Petre, indeed! More similar publications are welcome. Please post the link here if you'll find them. Gen. Dénes |
Posted by: C-2 April 16, 2011 10:56 am |
Awsome! |
Posted by: Petre April 16, 2011 01:23 pm |
Maybe here : http://www.cice-iasi.ro/defaultcicepage19922007.php?id=32 |
Posted by: 21 inf April 16, 2011 08:19 pm | ||
Great! Thanks for sharing! |
Posted by: 21 inf April 16, 2011 08:22 pm | ||
Gh. Buzatu, author, has 10 books published in 4 years (2007-2010), alone or with collaborators. Isn't it a little too many books in a little too few years? |
Posted by: Radub April 17, 2011 08:09 am | ||
Gheorghe Buzatu has been writing about World War 2 at last since the seventies. I have two books by him: "Razboiul Secret" published by Junimea in 1973 "Dosare ale Razboiului Mondial 1939-1945" published by Junimea in 1978 This appears to be a case in which a publisher agreed to publish all (or maybe most) of his work in a short period of time. There seem to be many decades of work in there (but most of these books were "unpublishable" before 1989). Professor Gheorghe Buzatu is an interesting character http://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gheorghe_Buzatu HTH Radu |
Posted by: Dénes April 17, 2011 08:59 am | ||
That's an understatement. Based on what Wikipedia writes about him and also my opinion after reading some of his writings, he appears to be a xenophobic and extremist character. Gen. Dénes |
Posted by: Petre April 17, 2011 09:24 am | ||
Wikipedia is an open source, with one moderator (?) and many subscribers (!). But we can see, some people are more interested... http://ro.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gheorghe_Buzatu&action=history Just click on Name, Discutie, Contributii... |
Posted by: Radub April 17, 2011 11:52 am | ||
He, he, he, I was trying to ber "diplomatic". Remember the big brewhaha about the use of the word "controversial" in relation to Ion Antonescu? Let us forget diplomacy for a second and call a spade a spade. Gheorghe Buzatu is regarded a CV Tudor's heir apparent and is widely regarded as Romania's main holocaust denier. He is also one of the people behind the Ion Antonescu Foundation, whose main purpose is to make Antonescu look like a boy scout. Radu |
Posted by: MMM April 17, 2011 04:11 pm | ||
... and what? Wasn't he?! The first "pionier", maybe... All that being said and laughed at, in the community of historians (in Iasi, at least), Mr. Buzatu isn't very well regarded, so to say. That's why he left the city for Pitesti some years ago, last century... As for his (too) many recent books, there's but a simple explanation (IMO, but documented, as I read quite a couple of his books in the last years): he found some rather new documents and the above-mentioned books are based on them, interpreting and re-interpreting them, with very slight differences. One can try to read his books, but after - let's say - three of them, one will agree with my idea! Of course, this doesn't mean that he has only xenophobic, negationist etc.- oppinions! |
Posted by: Radub April 18, 2011 12:02 pm | ||||
If you mean "Straja Tarii", that was Carol II's creation and it was Romania's version of Hitler's Jugend. I did not "judge" Buzatu... I only said that he is regarded as the Romania's leading holocaust denier. To some, that means a bad thing, to others it means a good thing. I will not get into that... I learned my lesson. Radu |
Posted by: Petre April 19, 2011 05:58 pm |
http://www.google.ro/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBYQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.history-cluj.ro%2FIstorie%2Fanuare%2FAnuarBaritHistorica2006%2Fart09OttmarTrasca.pdf&rct=j&q=SF%C3%82RSITUL%20%E2%80%9ECAMARADERIEI%20DE%20ARME%E2%80%9D%20ROM%C3%82NO-GERMANA%20&ei=KcmtTab2Hc2QswbJiZHiDA&usg=AFQjCNGc1_FkQ78BXs96pYDM6cb8g5SnMA&cad=rja |
Posted by: MMM September 11, 2011 06:41 pm |
Interesting! Thanks, Petre, Mr. Traşcă is a very well-dpcumented military historian and this small fragment is confirming it! |
Posted by: Florin September 11, 2011 09:06 pm | ||
Do not blame 100 percent the airfield. As you all know, Me-109 has a narrow landing gear. Personally, I do not understand why the design team did not modify the original project. In addition to modified drawings, some stamping and casting tools would need to be created, but for something produced in the thousands the cost will be immediately absorbed. A third of all Me-109 damaged to become nonoperational were not lost during battles, but during the landing process due to the narrow landing gear. |
Posted by: Radub September 12, 2011 08:39 am | ||
Most sources state that only about 10% of the 109s were lost in take-off accidents, but that was also due to the notorious "take off swing" caused by the engine torque which forced the tail to swing and the wingtip to drop. Experienced pilots knew how to avoid it. This was a problem mostly early in the war and for novices. As the war progressed, experience and improvements in design (tall tailwheel and lockable tailwheel steering) solved it The narrow-track landing gear was just as narrow as that of the Spitfire. Meserschmit experimented with wide-track landing gears, but they turned out to be more trouble than they were worth. The main selling point of the 109 was its simplicity (like the AK47) and the ease of servicing (like the AK47). Because of that landing gear, a couple of mechanics could change the wings in a couple of hours while the plane was standing on its landing gears, wheas a 190 required cranes and jacks and a whole team to do the same. Hth Radu |
Posted by: Florin September 15, 2011 02:54 am |
Few shots made to the landing gear of Me-109: http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/847/16390924.jpg/ + http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/707/54922007.jpg/ + http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/825/83543049.jpg/ + http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/847/74144459.jpg/ + http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/198/59534448.jpg/ + http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/402/30593864.jpg/ + http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/716/75993649.jpg/ |
Posted by: Radub September 15, 2011 08:50 am |
Ah yes, the G-10 of the Air Force Museum. A famously dubious restoration job... Colours are spurious (actually, screaming-out-loud ridiculous) and that drop tank rack is a joke. If you need any help with the Bf.109, just let me know. I just happen to know a thing or two about it. Radu |
Posted by: MMM September 15, 2011 02:56 pm | ||
It was clear from Denes' earlier post that the "soaked airport" was to blame; I've also met a Romanian archive document which "complained" about the state of the airfields ("aerodromuri de campanie" was the exact phrase) and asked for funding... About the "third" lost in acidents, it seems quite much, as the Germans' engineering departments would have "patched" somehow this problem. Nice comparation with the AK-47... I'd rather compare it with the T-34 or the Sherman, because of the complexity of a plane is closer to that of a tank - IMO, at least... |
Posted by: Radub September 15, 2011 03:44 pm | ||
Yeah, that would work as well. The Bf.109 was a perfect example of "function over form". Parts could be replaced easily with simple tools by a small team. A "bad airfield" will cripple any aircraft, irrespective of the type of landing gear. That is how "runway denial weapons" work. Radu |
Posted by: Florin September 15, 2011 04:16 pm | ||
In the second photo (starting from top), at the joint between wing and engine, it seems that previously some teeth were painted on the engine cover, to give it that "shark" look. The yellow paint did not cover them completely. |
Posted by: Radub September 15, 2011 04:41 pm | ||
That is actually the shadow of the exhaust pipes. You can see that each "tooth" matches the exhaust pipe right above it. Radu |
Posted by: Florin September 15, 2011 08:25 pm |
Two people addressed until now my statement that a third of the Me-109 damaged to become non-operational were lost as landing accidents. This information was during a documentary on Military Channel, "Top Ten Fighter Planes". I am sorry for trusting them ... |
Posted by: MMM September 16, 2011 10:24 am |
Don't (necessarily) be sorry! S**t happens! I just posted my "doubts" regarding the high proportion of damaged planes... |
Posted by: contras November 23, 2011 11:13 pm |
It is not about only ww2, but it is interesting http://cristiannegrea.blogspot.com/2011/10/omagiu-armatei-romane.html |
Posted by: Petre March 21, 2012 01:49 pm |
http://www.condeiulardelean.ro/articol/romania-razboiul-din-rasarit-i http://www.condeiulardelean.ro/articol/romania-razboiul-din-rasarit-ii http://www.condeiulardelean.ro/articol/romania-razboiul-din-rasarit-iii http://www.condeiulardelean.ro/articol/romania-razboiul-din-rasarit-iv http://www.condeiulardelean.ro/articol/romania-razboiul-din-rasarit-v http://www.condeiulardelean.ro/articol/romania-razboiul-din-rasarit-vi http://www.condeiulardelean.ro/articol/romania-razboiul-din-rasarit-vii http://www.condeiulardelean.ro/articol/romania-razboiul-din-rasarit-viii http://www.condeiulardelean.ro/articol/romania-razboiul-din-rasarit-ix |
Posted by: Taz1 October 09, 2014 03:01 pm |
On mars 1941 the german regiment Leibstandarte was stationed in Campulung Arges. Another regiment was stationed there all so. Can somebody knows what regiment, divizion was ? Only I now that it was regular army HEER formation, motorized. Some picture with Leibstandarte in Campulung : http://5sswiking.tumblr.com/post/14701649322/thedevilsguard-the-lah-transferred-to-rumania http://www.schifferbooks.com/the-leibstandarte-in-greece-the-1st-battalion-lssah-during-operation-marita-1941from-battalion-archives-5208.html |
Posted by: Petre December 29, 2014 09:49 am | ||
Pages from a russian book "Wehrmacht Generals and officiers tell ... 1944-1951". http://www.xliby.ru/istorija/generaly_i_oficery_vermahta_rasskazyvayut/p68.php Written explanation from General of cavalry E. Hansen : "The activity of the German Military Mission in Romania» Sept. 8, 1944, in România. NOTE : Hansen Erik, General der Kavalerie. the leader of the Military Mission in Romania and German General at the High Command of the Romanian Army.
|
Posted by: Petre February 19, 2016 05:42 pm |
An interesting Web-site : "The russian-german project on digitalization of german docs. of the Russ.Federation archives" , the mainly in russian language. They have a Search engine. The references to Romania belongs to German Mil.Mission in Romania. A letter of Antonescu. Pages 13/49 and 14/49 http://wwii.germandocsinrussia.org/ru/nodes/2311-delo-175-perepiska-glavy-germanskoy-voennoy-missii-v-rumynii-generala-kavalerii-e-ganzena-nachalnika-generalnogo-shtaba-rumynskoy-armii-korpusnogo-generala-i-steflea-premier-ministra-rumynii-marshala-i-antonesku#page/13/mode/inspect/zoom/4 An answer of Hitler. Pages 33/49 to 36/49 (no translation) http://wwii.germandocsinrussia.org/ru/nodes/2311-delo-175-perepiska-glavy-germanskoy-voennoy-missii-v-rumynii-generala-kavalerii-e-ganzena-nachalnika-generalnogo-shtaba-rumynskoy-armii-korpusnogo-generala-i-steflea-premier-ministra-rumynii-marshala-i-antonesku#page/33/mode/inspect/zoom/4 And this http://wwii.germandocsinrussia.org/ru/nodes/2242-delo-106-albom-vklad-rumynskih-vooruzhennyh-sil-v-voynu-protiv-sovetskogo-soyuza-s-22-iyunya-1941-g-po-31-dekabrya-1942-g-s-diagrammami-tablitsami-i-shemami-o-sostoyanii-rumynskih-voysk-deystvuyuschih-na-vostochnom-fronte#page/1/mode/inspect/zoom/7 And more |
Posted by: Petre February 21, 2016 06:29 pm |
Continuare : 50 de pagini web conţin în titlu termanul "Român..." http://wwii.germandocsinrussia.org/ru/indexes/types/3?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=%D0%A0%D1%83%D0%BC%D1%8B%D0%BD&commit=%D0%98%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%8C În limba germană : "Informaţii privind pierderile A3 şi A4 române pe Don şi la Stalingrad, date despre pierderile generale ale trupelor române în tehnică şi armament de la începerea războiului până în sept. 1943 şi despre livrările de tehnică şi armament german, în diagrame" http://wwii.germandocsinrussia.org/ru/indexes/values/43233 |
Posted by: Petre January 15, 2017 07:03 pm |
Source, Net (rus) - Istoriceskie materialy ( istmat.info ) Handwritten indications of (POW) Oberstleutnant M.Braun : «Events in Bukarest before Eastern Campaign» 5 mart 1947, Moscow 1. În iarna 1940/41 a venit la Bucureşti la ataşatul militar german (Oberst Wahle) o delegaţie ciudată de persoane în civil. Erau opt oameni în haine modeste de turişti şi au solicitat sprijin ataşatului militar. Conducătorul delegaţiei s-a prezentat drept Oberst Zeitzler, ofiţer de la Statul Major General (ulterior Şef al SMG al OKH), şi a informat că are o misiune strict-secretă. Unul dintre însoţitori era oberstleutnant Sauberzweig, (ulterior general SS), alte nume nu-mi amintesc. Despre misiune, Zeitzler a informat următoarele: Grupul său, format exclusiv din ofiţeri SMG, are sarcina să studieze drumurile şi posibilităţile de dislocare ale unei armate germane, care trebuia să treacă la ofensivă de pe teritoriul României, peste Dunăre şi Balkani, spre sud asupra Greciei. Pentru ca activitatea să se desfăşoare neobservată şi secretă, grupuri separate de cercetare au fost îmbrăcate în civil iar maşinile nu purtau însemne militare. În plus, întreaga operaţiune trebuia să fie secretă şi pentru guvernul bulgar. Pentru fiecare drum adecvat operaţiunii a fost stabilit câte un grup de cercetare. Această opoeraţie era o pregătire pentru ofensiva în Grecia, care urma a fi desfăşurată în scurtă vreme sub comanda feldmareşalului List, peste teritoriul bulgar. Numărul necesar de trupe va fi concentrat iniţial pe teritoriul României, astfel încât să nu stârnească agitaţie în Bulgaria mai devreme. Ataşatul militar trebuia, la ordinele OKH, să acorde sprijin acestei delegaţii în următoarele probleme : asigurarea cu hărţile necesare, apoi cu bani (lei şi leva) şi să-i informeze care sunt toate punctele care par importante la executarea acestei operaţiuni. Ataşatul militar a îndeplinit acele indicaţii. După câteva ore grupele de cercetare au plecat să execute misiunile. 2. La puţină vreme a venit în România mareşalul List şi şi-a instalat Statul-major la Timiş (Carpaţi). După un timp de la venirea lui List, am primit invitaţia la o scrtă discuţie de serviciu. În mare secret List m-a informat că el va comanda operaţia împotriva Greciei, peste teritoriul bulgar şi că are nevoie de sfatul meu ca specialist privind Turcia. Iniţial am fost foarte înspăimântat de acea declaraţie, pentru că am înţeles că în afară de Grecia va fi o invazie şi în Turcia. Mi-am exprimat sincer îndoiala mareşalului. El mi-a spus aproximativ următoarele : «Este vorba doar despre posibilitatea acestei situaţii». Apoi m-a întrebat despre caracteristica generală a regiunii Tracia şi o evaluare a locului în contextul unei ofensive de aici spre est şi vest. L-am informat ce îl interesa sub forma unui raport la o hartă pe care mi-a dat-o mareşalul. După asta mareşalul mi-a declarat că informaţia are încă un caracter general şi că mă invită la comandamentul său din Bulgaria, pentru a preciza anumite momente. Discuţia cu mareşalul a durat cam 2—3 ore. 3. La începutul lui 1941 germanii au început să construiască un pod militar mare peste Dunăre. Podul a fost construit cu forţele unei unităţi germane de genişti. Construcţia a fost văzută de toţi ca o pregătire pentru invadarea Greciei. Aşa că toţi erau convinşi că trupele germane aflate în România şi cele care soseau tot timpul sunt destinate pentru campania în Grecia. Asta a fost o foarte bună mascare pentru campania spre Est. Iar când la începutul lui 1941, după terminarea podului, a început deplasarea unui mare număr de unităţi germane peste Dunăre, toţi au fost de acord că este o confirmare a presupunerii generale. Unităţile aflate în România se numeau «unităţi de instrucţie ale mis.mil.germane». Şi eu am fost convins că pregătirea era făcută pentru campania în Grecia. Nu credeam în campania spre Est, deşi cu un an înainte, ca ajutor al ataşatului militar în Turcia, studiasem un plan de «ofensivă în Caucaz», care mi-a trezit suspiciuni. Însă am găsit că ideea unei campanii spre Est era extravagantă şi criminală, aşa că mi-am luat gândul de la ea. Iar mareşalul List nu mi-a spus un cuvânt despre posibilitatea campaniei spre Est, deşi am fost foarte prietenos cu el. Dacă a ştiut despre asta şeful meu, Oberst Wahle, apoi Oberst Just, nu cunosc, dar mi se pare că n-au ştiut nimic, pentru că ambii aveau încredere în mine încât nu aveau secrete faţă de mine. Ataşatul militar nu avea nimic de-a face cu pregătirea războiului contra Un. Sov. D.p.d.v militar asta era treaba Şefului Mis.mil. gen. Hansen, care era «consilier al mareşalului Antonescu şi al SMG român pe probleme de ordin militar» şi era obligat să-şi coordoneze activitatea cu ambasadorul, care la rândul lui se ocupa de partea politică a problemei. În cercurile SMG român de asemenea n-am auzit nimic de o ofensivă în pregătire asupra Uniunii Sovietice. 4. La începutul lui 1941 (poate finele 1940) a fost ucis un maior german stat-majorist, Şef Birou Transporturi la Mis.Miliară. Crima a avut loc în faţă la Hotel «Аmbassador», săvârşită de un grec. După câteva luni de anchete, făcute în parte şi în Germania, criminalul a fost condamnat la moarte şi executat la Bucureşti. Despre rezultatul investigaţiilor nu cunosc nimic, dar am înţeles era un patriot grec, care a bănuit pregătirea războiului contra Greciei şi prin crima lui şi-a manifestat ostentativ aversiunea faţă de germani şi a avertizat lumea despre pericol. Foarte posibil a vrut să-l ucidă pe gen. Hansen şi l-a ucis pe ofiţer din greşeală. Din acest incident opinia generală a ajuns la concluzia că se pregăteşte campania asupra Greciei. Acelaşi incident a distras atenţia de la pregătirea campaniei spre Est. 5. Când a început ofensiva asupra Uniunii Sov. unităţile române n-au început-o odată cu cele germane. Unităţile române s-au alăturat doar mai târziu ofensivei germane, când germanii intraseră deja câteva sute de km în teritoriul sovietic. După părerea mea, asta s-a întâmplat nu doar din cauze de ordin militar dar şi politic, în scop conspirativ. De aceea, înainte să înceapă războiul contra Uniunii Sov. în România n-au fost mari mişcări de unităţi la graniţe. De aceea populaţia n-a bănuit despre apropiata ofensivă asupra Uniunii Sov. Dar presupun că acele divizii române care aveau garnizoanele pe frontiera ruso-română au făcut pregătiri de război, dar în secret. Braun |
Posted by: Petre March 12, 2017 05:49 am |
Excerpts from the handwritten indications of SS-Oberfuhrer Wilhelm Rodde (former german consul in Brasov) : «About Generalfeldmarschall Schörner, Commander-in Chief, Heeresgruppe "Süd"» (real "Süd-Ukraine") Moscow. 10 aprilie 1947 (…) După ce ruşii au intrat pe teritoriul României şi au ocupat Cernăuţi, în primăvara 1944 generaloberst Schörner a preluat comanda Heeresgruppe "Süd", total demoralizată şi în continuă retragere… Iniţial Schörner a ales pentru statul major Galaţiul şi a locuit în casa consulului general german Lehrner. Prin luna mai Schörner şi-a mutat comandamentul pe graniţa româno-ungară în oraşul-staţiune Slănic. Când l-am întâlnit prima oară pe Schörner în România, am auzit despre el o grămadă de anecdote, care îl arătau ca un general deosebit de strict şi aspru ca şef la trupele lui. Soldaţii îl numeau «sângerosul Ferdinand». Pe unde apărea, toţi se îndoiau şi tremurau… (…) La mijlocul lui mai… am primit telefonic o invitaţie la Schörner la Slănic. L-am informat pe Killinger şi l-am întrebat dacă sunt obiecţiuni. Killinger a răspuns că nu şi mi-a recomandat să mă folosesc de vizită pentru a-l informa pe Schörner despre situaţia din România, grea şi proastă pentru noi. În vizita la Slănic am fost primit foarte cordial de Schorner şi mi-a mulţumit pentru deservirea rezervei lui de cadre de comandă. (… la Kronstadt se găsea rezerva de cadre de comandă a Heeresgruppe «Sud» sub comanda colonelului Stollenwerk. Această rezervă de cadre, prin convenţie cu MAE se afla în deservirea mea) … Schörner mi l-a prezentat pe Şeful de Stat-major, generalleutnant Wenk şi l-a rugat să-mi prezinte cu ajutorul hărţii situaţia militară grea a Heeresgruppe «Süd». După cină am purtat discuţii despre situaţia politică din România… I-am explicat lui Schörner situaţia politică din România şi am subliniat că guvernul român, în frunte cu mareşalul Antonescu, face un joc necinstit faţă de Germania. Şi că n-am înţeles deloc, de ce guvernul nostru, informat de actuala situaţie politică din România, acţionează aşa iresponsabil. După părerea mea, o asemenea politică a Fuhrerului şi a consilierilor săi, precum Ribbentrop, Himmler, etc., duce la o catastrofă în Balcani. Am subliniat că, în afară de mine, aşa gândesc şi generalleutnant Gerstenberg, SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Hoffmeyer şi SS-Sturmbanfuhrer und Polizeiattaches Richter şi l-am sfătuit să discute cu aceste persoane. I-am cerut lui Schörner să ţină secretă părerea mea, altfel s-ar putea să am necazuri, pentru că se ştie că pentru Hitler mareşalul Antonescu a rămas încă o persoană loială. Schörner mi-a declarat că are aceeaşi părere ca mine în evaluarea situaţiei politice din Româmia şi a persoanei mareşalului Antonescu. Schörner m-a mai informat că se află în relaţii bune cu Himmler, pe care l-a informat deja despre situaţia politică din România, şi va continua să facă asta. Schörner m-a asigurat că dacă va primi alte informaţii, nu se va teme să-i raporteze personal lui Hitler despre situaţia reală din România şi să-şi spună părerea despre mareşalul Antonescu. În încheiere Schörner a atins problema Mis. Militare germane din România, despre activitatea căreia, sub comanda gen. Hansen, s-a exprimat foarte negativ. A declarat că gen. Hansen nu este în măsură să evalueze corect situaţia şi să se ocupe de ea : el face mai mult rău decât bine. Schörner mi-a declarat că va avea grijă ca situaţia să se schimbe fundamental. (…) Am fost martor o singură dată la temperamentul şi cruzimea lui. La una din vizitele la Braşov, pe aerodromul militar a avut loc un caz trist : un soldat român care era lungit lângă pistă a fost tăiat în două la aterizarea aparatului. Când Schörner a coborât să mă salute, a apărut comandantul român al aerodromului, se vede ca să îl tragă la răspundere pe pilot pentru întâmplare. Schörner l-a pus pe comandantul român să stea «drepţi», a strigat la el în chip nemaiauzit şi l-a întrebat dacă ştie cine este el, pentru că sosirea fusese anunţată. Poate se aşteptase că vine comandantul să-i dea raportul. Îi va aduce la cunoştinţă cazul mareşalului şi îl va informa despre disciplina de la aerodrom. Toate acestea au fost spuse pe un ton puternic de ordin iar la sfârşit Schörner i-a cerut comandantului să plece imediat. (…) Rodde |